Get Involved

For Youth

Summer Work and Learn is a summer job-training program for young adults ages 16-21. Crew Workers grow food crops on our 1-acre farm, mentor younger children in cooking and gardening activities, sell crops at the farmers' market, donate to local food shelves, and visit nearby farms. The Youth Agriculture Project uses organic farming as a vehicle to help youth develop life and job skills such as communication, teamwork, and leadership.

Summer Work and Learn job description

Summer Work and Learn application

Summer Work and Learn brochure.

For Educators

• Academic Year: During the spring and fall seasons, we work with local schools to provide agriculture-based programming connected to state curriculum requirements. In 2009, we partnered with two classes from the Oak Grove Elementary School as well as BEAMS, the Brattleboro Area Middle School after-school program.
  • We are happy to work with educators to plan classes together or invite you to the farm for our pre-planned classes.
  • Here's an example schedule from our classes with one school:
    • 1:30-1:40 Opening Circle - Plan for the day and veggie name game
    • 1:40-2:00 Plant Garlic - Garlic is a bulb; it can grow a whole head from one clove! Pull aside hay and dig a hole for each clove at the markers.
    • 2:00-2:25 Herb Tour - Use senses to explore each herb clipping. Can we find the plant it belongs to? Tour the garden to find the right plants!
    • 2:25-3:00 Closing Circle - Review what we learned about garlic and herbs before saying goodbye until next week.
  • Please keep in mind that we prefer to work with the same group for a minimum of 6 hours total to ensure a productive learning experience.
• Mentoring: During the summer, we collaborate with local youth agencies to provide gardening skills and nutrition programming for youth ages 7 - 12. Participants in the Summer Work and Learn program serve as mentors for these children, teaching gardening skills while learning to prepare and enjoy healthy meals from fresh produce.

Employment

The Youth Agriculture Project is offering several internship opportunities for Fall and Winter 2012. Please feel free to contact us at youthagproject@uvm.edu or by phone at (802) 257-7967 if you would like more information on these positions.

Please review the following postions:

• Education Internships (2),
• Agriculture Internships (2),

Then, to apply for any of these postions, email or send us a cover letter describing your qualifications and interest, a resume, and contact information for (3) references to:

Youth Agriculture Project
UVM Extension 4-H
11 University Way, Suite 4
Brattleboro VT 05301
youthagproject@uvm.edu
Fax: (802) 257-0112

Education Internships

Experience in experiential education, lesson planning, and/or working with youth from diverse backgrounds and abilities is required. Interest or skills in community development, nutrition, and/or local food systems is preferred.

School Enrichment Intern: Develop, implement, and evaluate garden-based farm and food education for students of diverse ages and abilities on Youth Ag's 1-acre vegetable farm and at area schools. Part-time, flexible position between late summer to November.

Curriculum Development Intern: Revise and complete the Vermont 4-H Pizza Garden Curriculum, or define and create a short series of lessons on another theme. Full or part-time position that can take place any time of year.

To apply, send a resume and contact information for three references, as well as a cover letter indicating the position you are applying for, your goals and qualifications, and your availability (preferred start/end dates and hours per week) to: Youth Agriculture Project, UVM Extension 4-H, 11 University Way, Suite 4, Brattleboro VT 05301, email youthagproject@uvm.edu, or fax: (802)257-0112.

For more information, please feel free to contact us by phone, (802) 257-7967 or email youthagproject@uvm.edu.

Education and Agriculture Intern applications close Monday, July 30, 2012. or until positions are filled.

Agriculture Internships

A strong work ethic and communication skills, plus a passionate interest in sustainable agriculture and/or local food systems, are required. Experience in farm management, outdoor education, and/or working with youth is strongly preferred.

Compost Intern: Work closely with the Farm Manager to improve soil fertility at the Brattleboro farm site by securing organic matter and nutrients through community partnerships. Creativity is encouraged. Full or part-time position.

Farm Management Intern: Assist the Youth Ag Project Farm Manager in planning and maintaining the 1-acre vegetable farm in Brattleboro. Support education activities, lead volunteers in the field, and assist with record-keeping and logistics related to sales. Full or part-time position between late summer to November 2012.

To apply, send a resume and contact information for three references, as well as a cover letter indicating the position you are applying for, your goals and qualifications, and your availability (preferred start/end dates and hours per week) to: Youth Agriculture Project, UVM Extension 4-H, 11 University Way, Suite 4, Brattleboro VT 05301, email youthagproject@uvm.edu, or fax: (802)257-0112.

For more information, please feel free to contact us by phone, (802) 257-7967 or email youthagproject@uvm.edu.

Education and Agriculture Intern applications close Monday, July 30, 2012. or until positions are filled.

Volunteer

Youth Ag's 1-acre farm at the Brattleboro office of UVM Extension needs hands on the land! Come in any Thursday from 8-10am or 3-5pm and work with us in the greenhouse and the field to get the farm ready for the Summer Work and Learn program! RSVP helpful but not required.

Examples of jobs include: Planting seeds, setting up irrigation lines, repairing boxes and benches, transplanting, harvesting, watering, weeding, etc!

Share your expertise and elbow grease, learn some new skills, meet new people, and rack up community service hours or Master Gardener internship hours!

For information or to volunteer, contact the Youth Agriculture Project at youthagproject@uvm.edu. Thanks!